Holdup Suspect Reportedly Tracked Down Hostage From Another Bank

BUENA PARK (CBS) — The suspect who held a bank manager at gunpoint Thursday during a four-hour stand-off with police reportedly knew his hostage.

The stand-off ended just after 3 p.m. when the suspect, identified by authorities as Myung Jae Kim, was shot and seriously wounded by an Orange County SWAT team. The suspect was hit as he approached the front door of the bank to retrieve something he demanded from a hostage negotiator.

Authorities received a call about a bank robbery in progress at Saehan Bank in the 4500 block of Beach Boulevard around 11:06 a.m., Buena Park police said.

Investigators say the suspect entered the bank branch around 11 a.m. with a box of weapons and demanded as much as $250,000. Police say he was quiet when he entered and let everyone leave except for bank manager, Michelle Kwon.

Seahan's chief credit officer says Kwon worked at another small Korean bank before taking her current position six months ago. According to the official, the suspect lost money during Kwon's employment at the previous bank, and tracked her down at Saehan to try to get her help.

"I feel sorry because it's something personal," said witness Sung Kunkel. "And that he had to take that extreme action. It's very tragic."

The bank was closed Friday, as workers cleaned up the aftermath of the shooting. The branch is expected to reopen Monday.

Bank officials said counselors will be provided to help employees deal with what happened Thursday.